Chemicals linked to cancer shouldn’t be anywhere near our food

Chemicals linked to cancer shouldn’t be anywhere near our food

Yet, thousands of hazardous chemicals are used to make the packaging for the food we nourish ourselves and our families with each day. The chemicals in this packaging can migrate into our food and our bodies. Some of these chemicals have been linked to serious health consequences, ranging from allergic reactions to reproductive harm, learning disabilities, and increased risk of breast cancer.

Scientists have expressed strong concern about the harmful chemicals entering our food from food packaging, and have called for the prohibition of known hazardous chemicals in food contact materials. Doctors have also signaled their concern. In 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement to draw attention to emerging child health concerns related to chemicals used in food packaging, beverage containers, and direct food additives.

Today, so much of the food we buy comes in containers and wrappers. We shouldn’t need to be expert toxicologists to know what’s safe for our families. We don’t need these hazardous chemicals in food packaging and we shouldn’t tolerate them threatening our health.

We need to get toxic chemicals out of our food packaging

To protect ourselves and our families from unnecessary, hazardous chemicals, we need to get them out of our food packaging. That’s why CALPIRG is working to ban key hazardous chemicals from all food packaging. This legislative session, CALPIRG is supporting Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collin’s Safer Food Packaging Act (AB 1148), a bill which would eliminate phthalates, bisphenols, and antimony trioxide, known harmful chemicals, from our food packaging. 

What’s wrong with phthalates, bisphenols, and antimony trioxide?

Consistent exposure to phthalates risks the healthy development of a child’s brain, reproductive system, and other organs. Phthalates mimic our bodies’ natural hormones, disrupting our endocrine system. Even a microscopic change in hormone production interferes with normal bodily functions – especially during pregnancy. Phthalates travel through the bloodstream to impact fetal development and enter into breast milk, where they can adversely impact children’s health.

Bisphenols are also toxic and present in everyday products. Bisphenol A (BPA) might be the most notorious of its class, but the entire class of bisphenols pose similar health risks. Some bisphenols disrupt hormones, leading to reduced reproductive success and negative effects on the prostate. Bisphenols also impact brain development, learning and behavior in children – similar to the hyperactivity associated with BPA.

For its part, antimony trioxide is already recognized as a carcinogen by the State of California, as it is known to cause lung cancer. In acute cases of exposure, it can cause headaches, burns and irritation to the nose, throat and mouth. On a long-term scale, antimony trioxide can damage the kidneys, liver and heart. Chronic exposure also has an impact on both male and female reproductive health. There’s evidence to suggest that antimony trioxide damages developing fetuses, and miscarriages are possible due to exposure. 

We’re campaigning to get toxic chemicals out of food packaging

To eliminate unnecessary and unsafe chemicals from our food packaging, we need lawmakers to act.

To get them to do so, we are leading the charge to organize health professionals, scientists, and other experts to demonstrate to lawmakers the health threats from these chemicals’ presence in food packaging. We are also elevating the stories of parents and community members who want to make sure the food they feed their children and loved ones is safe. In addition to leading public education efforts and driving media attention to the issue, we’ll be collecting petition signatures from hundreds of Californians who just want to make sure their food is free of all unnecessary chemicals. 

Our expertise in this space runs deep and our track record is bright. Since our founding, CALPIRG has worked to protect the public from harmful chemicals. From pesticides to PFAS, we have campaigned for decades to get toxic chemicals out of our food, land, and consumer products. In the past few years, CALPIRG has helped ban 24 of the most toxic ingredients from cosmetics and personal care products and helped get PFAS, a family of harmful chemicals known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down, out of our clothes, personal care products, and food packaging. And, for decades, we’ve led efforts to end the use of toxic pesticides on our farms and food. 

With our established and successful history protecting the public from toxic chemicals, we’re ready to make our food packaging –and food– safer.

What’s next?

In April, lawmakers will deliberate this bill. It’s important they hear from as many constituents as possible.

Take action

It’s important lawmakers know this issue is important to their constituents. Urge them to get toxic chemicals out of our food and drink packaging with the button below.